U.S. patent application number 12/245262 was filed with the patent office on 2009-02-12 for barrier device with adjustable external reinforcement structure.
Invention is credited to Guy C. Yodock, Leo J. Yodock, III, Leo J. Yodock, JR..
Application Number | 20090041540 12/245262 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 40346705 |
Filed Date | 2009-02-12 |
United States Patent
Application |
20090041540 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Yodock, III; Leo J. ; et
al. |
February 12, 2009 |
BARRIER DEVICE WITH ADJUSTABLE EXTERNAL REINFORCEMENT STRUCTURE
Abstract
A barrier device comprises a top wall, a bottom wall, opposed
end walls and opposed side walls interconnected to form a hollow
interior in which a pair of spaced openings are formed which extend
between the side walls. An external reinforcement structure is
provided to enhance the structural integrity of the barrier device,
including first and second beams each located along one of the side
walls which are connected to one another by adjustable mounting
structure extending through the openings. The beams of one barrier
device, in turn, are connected end-to-end with the beams of an
adjacent barrier device to form an essentially continuous,
interconnected wall of barriers which resist disengagement from one
another and exhibit improved resistance to being broken apart upon
impact by a vehicle.
Inventors: |
Yodock, III; Leo J.;
(Bloomsburg, PA) ; Yodock, JR.; Leo J.;
(Bloomsburg, PA) ; Yodock; Guy C.; (Lakeland,
FL) |
Correspondence
Address: |
GRAY ROBINSON, P.A.
P.O. Box 2328
FT. LAUDERDALE
FL
33303-9998
US
|
Family ID: |
40346705 |
Appl. No.: |
12/245262 |
Filed: |
October 3, 2008 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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11764853 |
Jun 19, 2007 |
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12245262 |
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11082630 |
Mar 17, 2005 |
7351002 |
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11764853 |
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10669998 |
Sep 24, 2003 |
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11082630 |
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10033974 |
Dec 19, 2001 |
6666616 |
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10669998 |
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60977830 |
Oct 5, 2007 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
404/6 |
Current CPC
Class: |
E01F 15/086 20130101;
E01F 15/088 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
404/6 |
International
Class: |
E01F 13/00 20060101
E01F013/00 |
Claims
1. A barrier device, comprising: a top wall, a bottom wall, opposed
end walls and opposed side walls interconnected to collectively
form a hollow interior; at least one opening extending through said
hollow interior from one of said side walls to the other of said
side walls; a barrier reinforcement structure comprising: (i) a
first beam extending along one of said side walls; (ii) at least
one first mounting device including a first locking plate coupled
to said first beam; (iii) a second beam extending along the other
of said side walls; (iv) at least one second mounting device
including a second locking plate coupled to said second beam; (v)
one of said first and second locking plates being formed with a
first bore, and the other of said first and second locking plates
being formed with spaced second and third bores; each of said first
and second locking plates being insertable into said at least one
opening in said hollow interior in position so that said first bore
of said one locking plate aligns with one of said first and second
bores of the other locking plate, a fastener extending through said
aligning bores to connect said first and second locking plates
together and to secure said first and second beams along respective
side walls.
2. The barrier device of claim 1 in which each of said first and
second locking plates has one end coupled to respective first and
second beams and a second end, said second and third bores being
spaced from one another in a direction between said first and
second ends.
3. The barrier device of claim 2 in which said first and second
beams are spaced a first distance from one another with said first
bore of said one locking plate in alignment with said second bore
of said other locking plate, and said first and second beams being
spaced a second distance from one another with said first bore of
said one locking plate in alignment with said third bore of said
other locking plate.
4. The barrier device of claim 3 in which said first distance is
greater than said second distance.
5. The barrier device of claim 1 further including first side plate
connected to each of said first beam and said first locking plate
of said first mounting device, and a first base plate mounted to
each of said first side plate and said first locking plate of said
first mounting device.
6. The barrier device of claim 1 further including a second side
plate connected to each of said second beam and said second locking
plate of said second mounting device, and a second base plate
mounted to each of said second side plate and said second locking
plate of said second mounting device.
7. The barrier device of claim 1 in which said at least one opening
extending through said hollow interior comprises a first opening
and a second opening spaced from one another in a direction between
said first and second end walls, each of said first and second
openings receiving a first mounting device and a second mounting
device.
8. A barrier wall comprising: a number of individual barrier
devices connected end-to-end, each of said barrier devices
comprising: (i) a top wall, a bottom wall, opposed end walls and
opposed side walls interconnected to collectively form a hollow
interior; (ii) at least one opening extending through said hollow
interior from one of said side walls to the other of said side
walls; (iii) a barrier reinforcement structure comprising: (a) a
first beam extending along one of said side walls; (b) at least one
first mounting device including a first locking plate coupled to
said first beam; (c) a second beam extending along the other of
said side walls; (d) at least one mounting device including a
second locking plate coupled to said second beam; (e) one of said
first and second locking plates being formed with a first bore, and
the other of said first and second locking plates being formed with
spaced second and third bores; each of said first and second
locking plates of said barrier devices being insertable into said
at least one opening in said hollow interior thereof in position so
that said first bore of said one locking plate aligns with one of
said first and second bores of the other locking plate, a fastener
extending through said aligning bores to connect said first and
second locking plates together and to secure said first and second
beams along respective side walls of said barrier device;
connecting structure located at each end of said first beam and
said second beam of each barrier device, said connecting structure
being effective to connect said first beam of one barrier device to
a first beam of an adjacent barrier device and to connect said
second beam of said one barrier device to said second beam of an
adjacent barrier device.
9. The barrier wall of claim 8 in which each of said first and
second locking plates of said individual barrier devices has one
end coupled to respective first and second beams and a second end,
said second and third bores being spaced from one another in a
direction between said first and second ends.
10. The barrier wall of claim 9 in which said first and second
beams of each barrier device are spaced a first distance from one
another with said first bore of said one locking plate in alignment
with said second bore of said other locking plate, and said first
and second beams being spaced a second distance from one another
with said first bore of said one locking plate in alignment with
said third bore of said other locking plate.
11. The barrier wall of claim 10 in which said first distance is
greater than said second distance.
12. The barrier wall of claim 8 further including first side plate
connected to each of said first beam and said first locking plate
of said first mounting device, and a first base plate mounted to
each of said first side plate and said first locking plate of said
first mounting device of said individual barrier devices.
13. The barrier wall of claim 8 further including a second side
plate connected to each of said second beam and said second locking
plate of said second mounting device, and a second base plate
mounted to each of said second side plate and said second locking
plate of said second mounting device of said individual barrier
devices.
14. The barrier wall of claim 8 in which said at least one opening
extending through said hollow interior of each of said barrier
devices comprises a first opening and a second opening spaced from
one another in a direction between said first and second end walls,
each of said first and second openings receiving a first mounting
device and a second mounting device.
Description
RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional
Application Ser. No. 60/977,830 filed Oct. 5, 2007 under 35 U.S.C.
.sctn. 119(e) for all commonly disclosed subject matter, which is
expressly incorporated herein by reference in its entirety to form
part of the present disclosure, and is a continuation-in-part of
U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/764,853 filed Jun. 19, 2007,
which is a divisional of U.S. patent application Ser. No.
11/082,630 filed Mar. 17, 2005, now U.S. Letters Patent No.
7,351,002 issued Apr. 1, 2008, which is a continuation-in-part of
U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/669,998, filed Sep. 24, 2003,
which is a divisional of U.S. patent application Ser. No.
10/033,974, filed Dec. 19, 2001, now U.S. Letters Patent No.
6,666,616, issued Dec. 23, 2003.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] This invention relates to barrier devices for vehicular and
vessel traffic control, soil erosion containment, impact
attenuation and the like which can be interconnected with one
another to define a continuous barrier wall structure and/or
connected in various combinations to form energy-absorbing cells,
and, more particularly, to barrier devices formed of a light weight
plastic having side walls which receive and mount an adjustable
external reinforcement structure in the form of a pair of beams
each extending along the length of one of the side walls.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] A variety of different devices have been developed for
absorbing the kinetic energy of impact of colliding automobiles,
and for the containment of forces exerted by soil or water. Highway
barrier devices, for example, are intended to provide a continuous
wall or barrier along the center line of a highway when laid
end-to-end to absorb grazing blows from moving vehicles. One
commonly used highway barrier is formed of pre-cast reinforced
concrete, and is known as the "New Jersey" style barrier. Highway
barriers of this type have a relatively wide base including side
walls which extend vertically upwardly from the pavement a short
distance, then angle inwardly and upwardly to a vertically
extending top portion connected to the top wall of the barrier.
This design is intended to contact and redirect the wheels of a
vehicle in a direction toward the lane of traffic in which the
vehicle was originally traveling, instead of the lane of opposing
traffic. See U.S. Pat. No. 4,059,362.
[0004] One problem with highway barriers of the type described
above is the high weight of reinforced concrete. A barrier having a
typical length of twelve feet weighs about 2,800-3,200 pounds and
requires special equipment to load, unload and handle on site. It
has been estimated that for some road repairs up to 40 percent of
the total cost is expended on acquiring, delivering and handling
concrete barriers. Additionally, concrete barriers have little or
no ability to absorb shock upon impact, and have a high friction
factor. This increases the damage to vehicles which collide with
such barriers, and can lead to serious injuries to passengers of
the vehicle.
[0005] In an effort to reduce weight, facilitate handling and
shipment, and provide improved absorption of impact forces, highway
barriers have been designed which are formed of a hollow plastic
container filled with water, sand or other ballast material such as
disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,681,302; 4,773,629; 4,846,306,
5,123,773 and 5,882,140. For example, the '302 patent discloses a
barrier comprising a container having a top wall, a bottom wall,
opposed side walls and opposed end walls interconnected to form a
hollow interior which is filled with water, and having fittings for
coupling one barrier to another to form a continuous wall. The
container structure is formed of a resilient material which is
deformable upon impact and capable of resuming its original shape
after being struck. Traction spoiler channels are provided to
reduce the area of potential impact and thus the tendency of the
vehicle to climb the walls of the barrier and vault over it into
the opposing lane of traffic.
[0006] The '629, '306, '773 and '140 patents noted above represent
further advances in deformable highway barrier designs. The first
two patents disclose barriers which comprise a longitudinally
extending container made of semi-rigid plastic which is
self-supporting, and has a predetermined shape which is maintained
when filled with water, sand or other ballast material. Such
devices are connected end-to-end by a key insertable within grooves
formed in the end walls of adjacent barriers. Interconnected fill
openings are provided which permit adjacent barriers to be filled
with water or the like when laid end-to-end.
[0007] The '773 and '140 patents disclose additional improvements
in barrier devices including side walls formed with higher curb
reveals, a horizontally extending step and vertical indentations in
order to assist in maintaining the structural integrity of the
container, and to create internal baffles for dampening movement of
water or other fluid within the container interior. Interlocking
male and female coupling elements are formed on opposite end walls
of the barrier to facilitate end-to-end connection thereof.
Additionally, such barriers are provided with channels or openings
to permit the insertion of the tines of a fork lift truck therein
for easy handling of the barriers.
[0008] Despite the improvements in highway barrier designs noted
above, some deficiencies nevertheless remain. One concern has been
with the ability of a wall of barriers, e.g. individual barriers
connected end-to-end, to withstand a direct impact by a speeding
vehicle. It has been found that plastic barriers tend to separate
from one another at their connections, and in some instances break
apart in response to a vehicle impact. Although concrete barriers
of the type described above also can break apart during a crash,
they are more resistant to that than plastic barriers and there is
a need for plastic barriers to demonstrate impact resistance
capabilities which more closely approximates those of concrete
barriers.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0009] This invention is directed to a barrier device comprising a
top wall, a bottom wall, opposed end walls and opposed side walls
interconnected to form a hollow interior in which a pair of spaced
fork lift openings are formed which extend between the side walls.
An external reinforcement structure is provided to enhance the
structural integrity of the barrier device, including first and
second beams each located along one of the side walls which are
connected to one another by adjustable mounting structure extending
through the openings. The beams of one barrier device, in turn, are
connected end-to-end with the beams of an adjacent barrier device
to form an essentially continuous, interconnected wall of barriers
which resist disengagement from one another and exhibit improved
resistance to being broken apart upon impact by a vehicle.
[0010] In one presently preferred embodiment of this invention, the
external reinforcement structure comprises a first box beam and a
second box beam, each generally square in cross section and formed
of metal, rubber, composite material or the like. The two box beams
are connected to one another by a pair of mounting devices each
including a side plate welded to one of the box beams, a base plate
extending generally perpendicular to the side plate, and a locking
plate oriented generally perpendicular to both the side plate and
base plate. The side plate, base plate and locking plate of each
mounting device are welded together to form a one-piece, rigid
structure. The locking plate connected to one of the beams is
formed with a first bore, and the locking plate connected to the
other beam is formed with spaced second and third bores.
[0011] In order to mount the beams along the side walls of a
barrier device, the base plate and locking plate of the mounting
device connected to each beam are inserted within the fork lift
openings such that the first bore of one locking plate aligns with
one of the second and third bores of the other locking plate. A
fastener such as a bolt may be inserted through the aligning bores
to connect the locking plates together, and thus secure the beams
along respective side walls of the barrier device. Depending upon
which of the second and third bores is positioned in alignment with
the first bore, the lateral spacing between the beams may be varied
to accommodate barrier devices of different width.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0012] The structure, operation and advantages of the presently
preferred embodiment of this invention will become further apparent
upon consideration of the following description, taken in
conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:
[0013] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a barrier device of this
invention;
[0014] FIG. 2 is a plan view of the barrier depicted in FIG. 1,
with a portion of a second barrier shown in phantom at one end;
[0015] FIG. 3 is a side view of the barrier of FIG. 1;
[0016] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of two barriers connected
end-to-end with the adjustable external reinforcement structure of
this invention shown in place;
[0017] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the adjustable external
reinforcement structure herein removed from a barrier device and
not yet assembled;
[0018] FIG. 6 is an end view of the structure shown in FIG. 5, with
the locking plates of the mounting devices connected at one lateral
position; and
[0019] FIG. 7 is view similar to FIG. 6 except with the locking
plates connected together at another lateral position.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0020] Referring initially to FIGS. 1-4, the barrier device 10 of
this invention comprises a top wall 12, a bottom wall 14; opposed
end walls 16, 18, and, opposed side walls 20, 22 which are
interconnected to collectively define a hollow interior 24. In the
presently preferred embodiment, each of the walls 12-22 are formed
of a semi-rigid plastic material chosen from the group consisting
of low density polyethylene, high density polyethylene,
acrylonitrile or butadiene styrene, high impact styrene,
polycarbonates and the like. These plastic materials are all
inherently tough and exhibit good energy absorption
characteristics. They will also deform and elongate, but will not
fail in a brittle manner at energy inputs which cause other
materials to undergo brittle failure. The surfaces of these types
of plastic materials are inherently smoother than materials from
which other barriers are typically constructed, therefore creating
less friction and reducing the likelihood of serious abrasion
injuries to vehicles and/or passengers who may come into contact
with them. Additionally, materials of this type are unaffected by
weather and have excellent basic resistance to weathering, leaching
and biodegradation. Additives such as ultraviolet inhibitors can be
added thereto, making such materials further resistant to the
effects of weather. They also retain their mechanical and chemical
properties at low ambient temperatures.
[0021] When using the barrier device 10 of this invention as a
highway barrier, the hollow interior 24 is preferably filled with a
"ballast" material such as water or other liquid, or a flowable
solid material such as sand, gravel and the like. For this purpose,
the walls 12-22 of barrier device 10 have a thickness in the range
of about one-eighth inch to one inch so as to perform
satisfactorily in service. The barrier device 10 is preferably in
the range of about six to eight feet in length, and, at the wall
thickness noted above, has a weight when empty of about 80 to 140
lbs. When filled with a liquid such as water, the overall weight of
the barrier is in the range of about 1400 to 2200 lbs. Flowable
solid material such as sand and the like increase the weight of
barrier 10 further.
[0022] Both side walls 20, 22 are identical in configuration, and
only side wall 20 is described in detail herein it being understood
that the side wall 22 is formed with the identical structure and
functions in the same manner. The side wall 20 includes a
substantially vertical curb reveal 26 which extends from the bottom
wall 14 to a horizontally extending ledge or step 28 best shown in
FIG. 1. Preferably, the curb reveal 26 has a vertical height of
about nine inches, measured from the bottom wall 14 upwardly, which
is at least two inches greater than the curb reveals of other
highway barrier devices, such as disclosed, for example, in U.S.
Pat. No. 5,123,773. The horizontal extent of the step 28 is
preferably on the order of about 1 1/2 inches measured in the
direction from the outer edge of curb reveal 26 toward the hollow
interior 24 of barrier device 10.
[0023] Extending upwardly at an acute angle from the step 28 is an
intermediate section 30 which terminates at a vertical upper
section 32. The upper section 32, in turn, connects the
intermediate section 30 to the top wall 12 of barrier 10 which is
formed with a pair of fill holes 33 preferably having a diameter in
the range of about 3-4 inches. In the presently preferred
embodiment, a number of stabilizers 34 are integrally formed in the
intermediate section 30, at regularly spaced intervals between the
end walls 16, 18. Each stabilizer 34 includes a base 36 and opposed
sides 38 and 40. As best seen in FIG. 1, the base 36 of each
stabilizer 34 is coplanar with the step 28 and is supported by an
internally located support 42 shown in phantom lines in FIG. 3. The
sides 38, 40 of each stabilizer 34 taper inwardly, toward one
another, from the base 36 to a point substantially coincident with
the uppermost edge of intermediate section 30 where the upper
section 32 of side wall 20 begins. In the presently preferred
embodiment, a throughbore 44 extends from the base 36 of one or
more of the stabilizers 34, through the internal support 42 and out
the bottom wall 14 of barrier 10. One or more of these throughbores
44 receive an anchoring device such as a stake 46, shown in phantom
in FIG. 3, which can be driven into the ground or other surface
upon which the barrier device 10 rests to secure it thereon.
[0024] With reference to FIG. 4, structure is provided to resist
disengagement of adjacent barrier devices 10 and 10' when they are
arranged end-to-end to form an essentially continuous barrier wall,
and to resist the break up or disintegration of individual barrier
devices 10 and 10' in response to impact by a vehicle. The two
barrier devices 10 and 10' depicted in FIG. 4 are identical in
structure and function, and the same reference numbers are
therefore used to identify like structure, with the addition of a
"'" to the numbers associated with barrier 10' on the right-hand
side of FIG. 4.
[0025] Each end wall 16 of barriers 10 is formed with an internally
extending recess 48 near the bottom wall 14, which receives an
outwardly protruding extension 52 formed on the end wall 18 of an
adjacent barrier 10. The upper portion of end wall 16 is formed
with a slot 56, and the upper portion of end wall 18 is formed with
a slot 58. Each slot 56, 58 has an inner, generally
cylindrical-shaped portion 59 and a narrower, substantially
rectangular-shaped portion 61 at their respective end walls 16, 18.
The slots 56, 58 extend from the top wall 12 downwardly to a point
near the juncture of the upper section 32 and intermediate section
30.
[0026] When two barrier devices 10 and 10' are oriented end-to-end,
with the end wall 16 of one barrier 10 abutting the end wall 18' of
an adjacent barrier 10', the slots 56, 58 collectively form a
barbell-shaped locking channel 60 shown in FIG. 4 and also depicted
in phantom at the bottom of FIG. 2. This locking channel 60
receives a coupler 62 having cylindrical ends 64, 66 and a
rectangular center section 67, which is removably insertable
therein and extends substantially along the entire length of the
locking channel 60. The cylindrical ends 64, 66 of coupler 62 pivot
within the correspondingly shaped cylindrical portions 59, 59' of
slots 56, 58', so that one barrier device 10 can be pivoted with
respect to an adjacent barrier 10' to assist with alignment
thereof, and to allow the barriers 10, 10' when placed end-to-end
to follow curves along a particular highway or other location where
they are placed.
[0027] Additionally, a pair of hollow channels 68 and 70 are
located within the hollow interior 24 of barrier device 10 and
extend between the side walls 20, 22. A portion of both channels
68, 70 is located in the intermediate section 30 of each side wall
20, 22, and extends partially into the upper sections 32 thereof.
The two channels 68, 70 are positioned in the spaces between the
three stabilizers 34 formed in the side walls 20, 22, and provide
added internal support to the barrier 10 so that it retains its
shape when filled with a ballast material. Each of the channels 68
and 70 define a pass-through hole or opening 72 adapted to receive
the tines of a forklift truck to permit handling of the barriers
10.
[0028] In the presently preferred embodiment, a drain hole 76 is
formed along each of the end walls 18 and 20 thereof near the
bottom wall 14 to allow passage of water and the like from one side
of the barrier device 10 to the other. Water or other flowable
material is introduced into the hollow interior 24 of the barrier
device 10 via the fill holes 33 formed in top wall 12. These fill
holes 33 can also receive the post of a sign or the like (not
shown) extendable into the barrier interior 24. As shown in FIG. 2,
a post boot 78 is formed at the bottom wall 14 of barrier 10, in
alignment with each fill hole 33, to receive and support the post
of a sign inserted through the fill hole 33. Preferably, the top
wall 12 is formed with an elongated channel 80 leading to each fill
hole 33 to allow for the flow of rainwater into the hollow interior
24. The top wall 12 is also formed with an internally extending
seat 82 which is adapted to mount an internal light fixture (not
shown) for illuminating the barrier device 10 from the inside. The
details of such lighting construction form no part of this
invention and are thus not discussed herein.
[0029] With reference to FIGS. 5-7, a presently preferred
embodiment of the external reinforcement structure of this
invention is shown. Preferably, the reinforcing structure comprises
a first beam 90 and a second beam 92 which are connected to one
another along respective side walls 20 and 22 by a first mounting
device 94 and a second mounting device 96. As shown, the beams 90,
92 are preferably hollow box beams having a generally square cross
section which can be formed of metal, rubber, composite material or
the like. For purposes of illustration, two sets of beams 90, 92
and 90', 92' are depicted in FIG. 5 corresponding to the two
barrier devices 10 and 10' shown in FIG. 4. The structure and
operation of the beams 90, 92 and 90', 92' are identical, and
therefore the following discussion applies to both.
[0030] As best shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, a first mounting device 94
is connected to the beam 90 and a second mounting device 96 is
connected to the beam 92 in position for insertion into the opening
68 in the barrier device 10 (or 10'), as discussed below. The
position of the mounting devices 94, 96 relative to the beams 90,
92 is reversed for the second opening 70 in the barrier device 10,
i.e. a first mounting device 94 is mounted to the beam 92 and a
second mounting device 96 is mounted to the beam 90 in position for
insertion into the opening 70.
[0031] Each of the first mounting devices 94 employed in this
invention has the same construction, and comprises a side plate 98,
a base plate 100 and a locking plate 102. The side plate 98 has an
outwardly tapered portion 101 that transitions to a vertical
section 103 which is welded or otherwise permanently connected to a
beam 90 at a location in alignment with the opening 68 or to a beam
92 for alignment with the opening 70 in the barrier device 10. The
base plate 100 of first mounting device 94 may be integrally formed
with, welded or otherwise permanently connected to the side plate
98. It extends generally perpendicular to the side plate 98 and is
oriented substantially horizontally when the first mounting device
94 is installed on the barrier device 10. The locking plate 102 is
preferably permanently secured by welding or the like to both the
side plate 98 and the base plate 100 in an upright, vertical
position substantially perpendicular to both plates 98, 100. As
such, one of the opposed end edges of the locking plate 102 abuts
the side plate 98 and its bottom edge abuts the base plate 100. The
locking plate 102 of first mounting device 94 is formed with one
column of vertically spaced bores 106, and a second column of
vertically spaced bores 110. The columns of bores 106, 110 are
laterally spaced from one another, e.g. in a direction between the
opposed end edges of the locking plate 102. Preferably, the bores
106 and 110 are elongated in the lateral direction as shown in the
Figs.
[0032] Each of the second mounting devices 96 has generally the
same construction as the first mounting devices 94. As best seen in
FIG. 7, the second mounting devices each comprise a side plate 112,
a base plate 114 and a locking plate 116. The side plate 112 has an
outwardly tapered portion 118 that transitions to a generally
vertical section 120 which is welded or otherwise permanently
connected to a beam 90 at a location in alignment with the opening
68 or to a beam 92 for alignment with the opening 70 in the barrier
device 10. The base plate 114 of second mounting device 96 may be
integrally formed with, welded or otherwise permanently connected
to the side plate 112. It extends generally perpendicular to the
side plate 112 and is oriented substantially horizontally when the
second mounting device 96 is installed on the barrier device 10.
The locking plate 116 of the second mounting device 96 is
preferably permanently secured by welding or the like to both the
side plate 112 and the base plate 114 in an upright, vertical
position substantially perpendicular to both plates 112, 114. The
locking plate 116 of second mounting device 96 is formed with a
single column of vertically spaced, circular bores 124 at
approximately the center point thereof. See FIG. 5.
[0033] Installation of the beams 90, 92 and mounting devices 94, 96
proceeds as follows. The beam 90 is aligned with openings 68 and 70
in the barrier device 10 so that the base plate 100 and locking
plate 102 of first mounting device 94 mounted thereto may be
inserted within the opening 68. At the same time, the base plate
114 and locking plate 116 of the second mounting device 96 secured
to the beam 90 extends into the opening 70 of barrier device 10.
The same procedure is followed for beam 92, except, as noted above,
the positioning of the mounting devices 94 and 96 along the beam 92
is reversed. Specifically, the base plate 114 and locking plate 116
of second mounting device 96 connected to the beam 92 are inserted
into the opposite side of opening 68 from the beam 90, while the
base plate 100 and locking plate 102 of first mounting device 94
connected to beam 92 enter the opening 70 in the barrier device 10
opposite the beam 90.
[0034] The external reinforcement structure of this invention is
characterized as "adjustable" because the first and second mounting
devices 94, 96 within each opening 68, 70 in the barrier device 10
can be connected to one another at different lateral locations.
Referring to FIG. 6, which depicts the first and second mounting
devices 94, 96 secured within the opening 70 of barrier device 10,
the two bores 106 in one column 104 of locking plate 102 of a first
mounting device 94 are positioned in alignment with the bores 124
in the locking plate 116 of the second mounting device 96. Bolts
126 or other fasteners may be inserted through the aligning bores
106 and 124 to releasably mount the locking plates 102 and 116
together. The locking plates 102, 116 of the first and second
mounting devices 94, 96 that extend through the opening 68 in the
barrier device are similarly oriented relative to one another so
that their bores 106 and 124 align in the same fashion as with
opening 70. In this position, the side plates 98 and 112 of the
mounting devices 94, 96, and, in turn, the beams 90, 92 connected
thereto are comparatively close to one another as measured in the
lateral direction. It is contemplated that the mounting devices 94,
96 will be connected in this position to accommodate barrier
devices 10 of smaller "width" or lateral spacing between their side
walls 20, 22. For wider barrier devices 10, the locking plates 102
and 116 of the first and second mounting devices 94, 96 are
positioned such that the bores 110 in the other column of the
locking plates 102 align with the bores 124 in the locking plates
116. As viewed in FIG. 7, this results in a greater lateral spacing
between the side plates 98 and 112, and therefore the beams 90, 92,
so that the external reinforcement structure of this invention may
be used with wider barrier devices 10. Bolts 126 or other fasteners
may be inserted within the aligning bores 110 and 124 as described
above. The external reinforcement structure of this invention
therefore provides an essentially one-piece rigid structure for
connection beams 90, 92 along respective side walls 20, 22 of the
barrier device 10, while being adjustable to accommodate barriers
10 of different width.
[0035] In the presently preferred embodiment, either before or
after the beams 90, 92 are secured along the side walls 20 and 22
of the barrier device 10, and the beams 90', 92' are mounted to the
side walls 20', 22' of barrier device 10', a bracket 128 may be
bolted to the adjacent ends of beams 90, 90' and 90', 92' as shown
in FIGS. 4 and 5. The brackets 128 add further rigidity to the
external reinforcement structure herein, and resist disengagement
of one barrier device 10 from an adjacent barrier device 10'.
[0036] While the invention has been described with reference to a
preferred embodiment, it should be understood by those skilled in
the art that various changes may be made and equivalents
substituted for elements thereof without departing from the scope
of the invention. In addition, many modifications may be made to
adapt a particular situation or material to the teachings of the
invention without departing from the essential scope thereof.
Therefore, it is intended that the invention not be limited to the
particular embodiment disclosed as the best mode contemplated for
carrying out this invention, but that the invention will include
all embodiments falling within the scope of the appended
claims.
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